1 Peter: For His Glory, by His GraceSample

You are a “living stone” (1 Peter 2:5). Strong, moving, living, breathing, and actively following Christ. This echoes Peter 1:3, where we first hear of the “living hope.” And this living hope is not flimsy or fleeting. It is substantial, giving us a solid footing and a safe place to stand. It makes us strong so we can be “living stones,” following Christ’s example and becoming parts of the “spiritual house” Peter talks about.

Every stone is essential to building a house, and each one of us is important when building up the body of Christ. You are important; you help keep the house standing. And you contribute to the purpose of the house, which is to glorify God.

And this, Peter adds, is true even in suffering. If you’re alive, you will suffer. But how you suffer—how you react and respond to suffering—is up to you. As adverse forces seek to deconstruct the “living stones” of Christ’s body of believers, you can remain strong.

Not only does Peter compare Christians to living stones, but he also describes Jesus as a stone, using the words of a prophecy: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’” (1 Peter 2:7). Without Jesus, Christianity would collapse.

We depend on Jesus to be our salvation, to form the foundation of our faith. All living stones lean against Him, getting their strength from the mightiest stone there is. The enemy could not prevail over Jesus, and neither will he prevail over the living stones of Jesus’ body.

1. Do you think you’re a “living stone” that helps build up the body of Christ? Why or why not?
2. What are some of the most important characteristics of a “living stone”? What does that look like for you? How are you involved in the church or part of others’ spiritual journeys?
3. What is the “spiritual house” Peter talks about? How do you think it looks today? How does it look in your church community?